Ox-bow lakes

• 1. As meanders migrate across the valley floor they erode towards each other
• 2. Once the eroding walls meet and erode, the water will now take the shortest route
• 3. Low energy in the not yet ox-bow lake will cause sediment to be deposited there, sealing off the old meander
• 4. The meander neck is cut through completely- leaving an ox-bow lake